Questions to consider when assessing the severity of
concussions: How many symptoms are present? How long do
they last? How much of a burden are the symptoms?

Sample questions to evaluate recent and remote
memory: Where are you? Who are we playing? What half is
it? Who did we play last week?

An athlete suspected of a concussion should not return
to play on the same day, even if symptoms appear to
resolve. A written concussion policy can ease the decision-making
burden.

As of July 1, 49 states and Washington D.C. have passed
return-to-play laws protecting students from
returning to play too soon after suffering the effects of a
concussion. Maryland, for example, requires clearance by a licensed
health care professional trained in concussions. The state also has
implemented awareness programs, while requiring students and their
parents to sign a concussion information sheet before participating
in any sport.

In 90 percent of cases, symptoms resolve within 10 to 14
days.

A US Lacrosse- and NOCSAE-funded video analysis study by Dr.
Andy Lincoln of Fairfax County (Va.) found that boys'
lacrosse accounted for the second-highest rate of
concussions among all sports, second only to football. For
girls, however, concussions are less common in lacrosse than in
basketball and soccer.